It's a common question in any culture. I know more Chinese than I do Ukrainian (heritage) and one of the few phrases I know in Uk is are you hungry.

It's the chinese way of saying hello, or more like, 'What's up'. They don't actually mean it as a question. When they say it you can almost ignore it and just begin a conversation. or you can just say yes or no and then carry on, your answer won't have any impact on the rest of the conversation.

It's the chinese way of saying hello, or more like, 'What's up'. They don't actually mean it as a question. When they say it you can almost ignore it and just begin a conversation. or you can just say yes or no and then carry on, your answer won't have any impact on the rest of the conversation.

I read once that in China it is just a way of asking how you were, particularly in the South. I can't remember the name of the book, sorry, but she said that in  Nanjing (where she grew up) are you hungry or have you eaten is a why of asking 'how are you?'. At the time people were used to be poor and very hungry so if you said you had eaten you were clearly having a very good day. 

I think it is a great 'how are you' question. I'm usually in a much better mood after eating. Perhaps for answers you should tell them what you've "eaten". If you are having a bad day you could say "Just had some slimy gaifan", but if you are having a good day "Oh I just ate some rubing and erkuai". 

It's mostly a conversation starter.

Are you hungry now?

the older generation with famine, cultural revolution, lack of food, they all use the language, the new generation that think china has always been rich in the urban areas never say "have you eaten", any older chinese person remembers 1959 to 1962 all too well

Everyone is right on most levels.

Ever since the Cultural Revolution (and the wide scale mass starvation) this greeting has become universal.

It's not just old people that ask it...it's everyone.

I used to get in shit when I didn't greet my girlfriend when I came home with this question.

I find that generally the only people that will ask you this question are the ones that are truly concerned with you...close friends...partners...family.

I was once a victim of this line. I was so excited that I will be invited for a meal  But I never get one after they said the line 

thedude is 100% right. This is actually pretty common in my hometown as well. Most people here grew up poor, and they want to make sure others eat. People who are concerned about you will want you to eat a lot.

I always bullshitted and told my in-laws that I wasn't hungry, since they really didn't get to eat too much. I was afraid of eating everyone's food. If I didn't stop myself, I'd have eaten all the damn food, and there wouldn't be any left for anyone else.

I answer like this- 'I just ate my girlfriend'  I get the funniest look after....  they don't know what the heck I'm talking about...  lol  

Because you're being fattened up for witch-feasting.